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Perhaps I can ask you. What if all I did in life was apply the axiom, "do not do to others what you do not want done to you" and never crack open a Bible, attend a church, believe in the biblical god or Jesus, would I be faulted for anything?

The direct answer to your question is no.

Jesus is what you speak of, some of us just happen to use the english word Jesus. But it also is much harder to use the word Jesus and intend to convey such a thing.

Just because someone cannot explain something that is written in Scripture doesn't mean it doesn't have significance.. it only means that the person you're talking with hasn't received knowledge of that part yet.

In my opinion, some of the most "Bible literate" are some of the most "in the dark!" Adhereing to a doctrine or becoming a member of a church group does NOT mean that you understand what you are reading..

Eventually they did. Jesus in Matthew 13:11-13explained it to them, and then Matthew 13:18-23 explained the parable. (IMO) It wasn't until pentecost until they really grasped what Jesus said, when he said:

“Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."

Would you say that much of your faith was an emotional connection both to your religion and others in your circle?

Donít worry, I am not working up a sales pitch, since I donít think there is one.

A holiness church at first (very legalistic, fundamenatalist and strict) then Brookly Tabernale (Brooklyn, NY) and then Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale. The last two are wonderful churches. The message just happened to have run hallow once you know the story being told is all fables for the most part.

Actually, that might be due to the fact that you never actually got around to asking a question. Your OP was interesting, but I wasn't quite sure how to respond. I wasn't clear as to what you were asking. How about one straightforward question for the dummies like me who would respond if they knew what you were looking for.

Actually, that might be due to the fact that you never actually got around to asking a question. Your OP was interesting, but I wasn't quite sure how to respond. I wasn't clear as to what you were asking. How about one straightforward question for the dummies like me who would respond if they knew what you were looking for.

There was a single question in there somewhere, but typing at work with the Veteran's Day parade passing by the window here in NY was a little distracting. No real flow of thought. sorry.

Eventually they did. Jesus in Matthew 13:11-13explained it to them, and then Matthew 13:18-23 explained the parable. (IMO) It wasn't until pentecost until they really grasped what Jesus said, when he said:

ďBecause the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."

Sounds kinda backwards. First, they are not allowed to see and hear, but then we are told that the Disciples were given the ability yet the others were not.

I see more and more Christians customizing the religion to THEIR taste

Because they would like to have it their way, like Burger King maybe.

Well intended, nice, tax paying, church going Christian at the drive thru:

"Yeah, ummmm...I'll take the Mighty Bible Meal, with no stoning or slave keeping, but with extra pickles and emphasization of the sex sins. Not hetero sex sins, just the homosexual ones ok?... Yeah, I'll have a Coke with that..."

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